MISSOURI STATE PARKS

Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park features remnants of the Missouria Indian village that sat at the Great Bend of the Missouri River, marked on a map by Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet in 1673. A hand-dug earthwork -- Old Fort -- and several burial mounds lie within the park’s boundaries. The state’s Indian history is interpreted in displays and exhibits at the park’s Missouri’s American Indian Cultural Center. For outdoor enthusiasts, the park features hiking trails and an 18-acre fishing lake. Trails lead visitors through the Oumessourit Natural Area with views of the freshwater marsh and through bottomland and upland forests. The park’s lofty trees shade picnic sites, picnic shelters and a campground.

Battle of Athens State Historic Site is a place of peace and serenity. Its historic buildings, tree-studded landscape, and mile of Des Moines River frontage make the site a perfect place to hike, picnic or camp. But today’s peace belies the site’s history as the place where the northernmost battle fought west of the Mississippi occurred, when about 500 Union soldiers repelled nearly four times their number of pro-Southern State Guardsmen. The site includes interpretation and tours of the battlefield as well as a number of historic buildings, including one that was pierced by a cannonball during the battle.

The valley that cradles Bennett Spring has created a place of peace and recreation that has welcomed generations of enthusiastic anglers. Bennett Spring State Park is one of Missouri’s earliest state parks and continues today to attract fishermen and nature lovers seeking to make new memories.

More than 100 million gallons of clear, cool water gush from Bennett Spring each day and form a spring branch stocked daily with rainbow trout waiting for lucky fishermen. Fishing may be the main draw but the park also offers many other amenities such as a dining lodge, campgrounds, cabins and hiking trails. Whether you are a traditional fishing enthusiast or someone seeking a place to relax and refresh, Bennett Spring State Park has what you need to make every trip one to remember.

Some people call Grand Gulf State Park the “Little Grand Canyon.” Some just call it “breathtaking.” The park is one of the natural wonders of the Ozarks, presenting the most spectacular collapsed cave system in the Ozarks. The "Grand Gulf" stretches for about three-quarters of a mile between 130 foot high walls. Visitors can view the gulf from trails on top or from the floor where they can walk under the natural bridge, which spans 250 feet with a 75-foot high opening. There is no official trail leading to the bottom, so visitors should use extreme caution when attempting to access the bottom. Interpretive signs detail the formation of the gulf.

In the early 1900s, the area that’s now Castlewood State Park was a popular retreat for partying St. Louisans. The dance clubs are gone, but the winding Meramec River and the lush valley that surrounds it remain. The park has hiking and mountain biking trails that range from those great for first-time riders to ones that even the most experienced will return to time after time. The park is considered one of the best mountain biking locations in the St. Louis area. Good fishing, broad meadows filled with wildlife, and plenty of recreational facilities make the park a favorite for people who want an adventure or just to get away.

Looking for the Ozarks in northern Missouri? Cuivre River State Park is one of the state’s largest and most rugged parks!

Cuivre River State Park lends a wilder, Ozarkian flavor to the otherwise predominately agricultural landscape of northern Missouri. Although not far from St. Louis, the park is a nature lover’s paradise. It is an outdoor delight to stroll through the park in the spring when flowering dogwood is in bloom or in the fall when the trees are ablaze with autumn colors.

The park is perfect whether you want to enjoy an afternoon visit or spend a few days. Both basic and modern campsites are available, and Lake Lincoln offers swimming, boating and fishing. The park’s wild and natural areas provide hiking, backpacking, photography and wildlife observation activities. There is also an equestrian trail with a campground for overnight stays.

With views of the scenic Current River and a history as a corporate retreat, Current River State Park offers a peaceful haven for today’s visitor. 

Current River State Park is built around the former retreat of the Alton Box Board Co. of Alton, Ill. Constructed during the late 1930s and early 1940s, the Alton Club buildings themselves reflect the rustic architectural style used by the National Park Service in the early part of the 20th century. In addition to overnight lodging, activities offered at the Alton Club included floating, fishing, swimming, tennis, horseback riding and golf.

Today’s visitors to Current River State Park can enjoy hiking trails, two lakes and picnic sites. Park staff provides tours of the historic Alton Club buildings and explains the park’s history.

The Meramec River and Calvey Creek border Roberstville State Park, creating unlimited outdoor opportunities. A boat launch and easy water access make fishing and boating along the peaceful Meramec easy. The park's landscape includes scenic bluffs along the river, and a patchwork of hardwood trees, rich river bottomlands, and clearings that date to when the park was a working farm in the mid 1800s. Waterfowl enthusiasts love Robertsville for the diversity of birds that use the park’s waters, and families love Robertsville’s quiet campground and picnic areas.

Generations of Missourians have passed through Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park's massive stone gateway for cookouts and family get-togethers or to spend time with friends. The park’s camping facilities, Civilian Conservation Corps architecture, and hiking, bicycling and equestrian trails help all visitors find their place to get away from it all, just minutes from St. Louis.

A walk in Graham Cave State Park is a walk through ancient history. Artifacts uncovered in Graham Cave reveal that people occupied the cave 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. To walk through the park’s 386 scenic acres, which includes the diverse Graham Cave Glades Natural Area, is to walk in the footsteps of the hunter-gatherers who lived in the area’s caves during the ancient Dalton and Archaic period. Visitors can go into the mouth of Graham Cave, and interpretive exhibits along Graham Cave Trail detail the life researchers believe early inhabitants lived. Additional interpretive exhibits throughout the park explain the cultural and natural significance of the site. Graham Cave State Park is a prime hiking location, and the campground is perfect for get-togethers in a quiet place. A boat ramp to the Loutre River provides access for boating and fishing.

WHERE NATURE AND HISTORY COME TOGETHER

With its intriguing history and outstanding geologic features, Ha Ha Tonka State Park is one state park that should not be missed. The park is a geologic wonderland featuring sinkholes, caves, a huge natural bridge, sheer bluffs and Missouri’s 12^th largest spring. The ruins of a turn-of-the-century stone castle overlook these wonders and offer impressive views of the Lake of the Ozarks and Ha Ha Tonka Spring.

A series of trails and boardwalks makes it easy for visitors to experience all the park has to offer, from its historic castle and geologic wonders to its wooded areas and open rocky glades. Picnic sites beckon visitors for a relaxing lunch in a scenic setting unparalleled in the lake area. All these fascinating elements combine to create a park that can be explored and enjoyed time after time.

Clear waters, dramatic bluffs and vibrant summer and fall colors make Harry S Truman State Park an ideal place to vacation. Located on a peninsula, the park offers a marina, ample fishing and boating opportunities, and water that’s perfect for every kind of swimmer. Hiking trails, picnic areas and campsites dot the park’s open oak woodlands and provide a home for abundant wildlife.

Hills of stately pine and oak trees, sandy-bottom streams and sandstone canyons and cliffs create one of the most significant and scenic landscapes in Missouri at Hawn State Park. Located in western Ste. Genevieve County, the 4,956-acre park offers a special experience for anyone wanting to enjoy the splendor of nature. Geology buffs come to the park to see the number of exposed rock types; hikers love the park for its amazing trails; and bird watchers flock to the park for its variety of birds.

This amazing landscape offers a scenic and peaceful setting where visitors can camp, hike, picnic and enjoy nature. The park’s campground, beneath a canopy of lofty pines, includes both basic and electric sites. Picnickers can enjoy a quiet lunch at one of the many picnic tables that dot the sandy, pine-covered woodland floor. The best way to experience the park is on its trails, which range from a short walk to an overlook area to an almost 10-mile-long backpacking trail that is considered one of the best in the state.

Once visitors experience the park, it’s easy to understand why Hawn State Park is considered a special treasure in a state park system filled with outstanding recreational jewels.

Looking for a unique destination? Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park offers ancient beauty!

The wilderness qualities and geology of Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park and the surrounding St. Francois Mountains make this park a special place to visit. Its rugged character provides the perfect backdrop for camping, hiking, picnicking, splashing in the shut-ins, exploring nature or just relaxing.

Welcome to Katy Trail State Park, the longest developed rail-trail in the country. Katy Trail State Park attracts people of all ages and interests. Whether you are a bicyclist, walker, equestrian, nature lover or history buff, the trail offers opportunities for recreation, a place to enjoy nature and an avenue to discover the past.

The park, built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT or Katy), is 240 miles long and runs between Clinton and Machens with 26 trailheads and four fully restored railroad depots along the way. The section of trail between Cooper County and St. Charles County has been designated as an official segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Katy Trail is also part of the American Discovery Trail, has been designated as a Millennium Legacy Trail and was added to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame in 2008.

Trail users have the opportunity to wind through some of the most scenic areas of the state with the majority of the trail closely following the Missouri River. The park also takes users through a slice of rural history as it meanders through the small towns that once thrived along the railroad corridor and reflect the rich heritage of Missouri. Information at the trailheads makes a ride or walk on the Katy not only a healthy adventure, but also an educational one.

Knob Noster State Park is a tranquil retreat of open oak woodland with a few patches of prairie along both sides of the meandering Clearfork Creek. It’s a place for fishermen to wet a line, for mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders to get some trail time, and for families to spend quality time together. The park also features an oxbow slough, which has been officially designated as Pin Oak Slough Natural Area. 

Enjoy the solitude of an undeveloped cove hidden along the shorelines of one of Missouri’s largest lakes. Swim, fish, boat or simply take in the view from a shady campsite or picnic area overlooking the Lake of the Ozarks. The park offers the opportunity to enjoy a variety of recreational activities on the lake or on shore.

On shore, hikers, backpackers, equestrians and bicyclists can wind through open woodlands, sunny glades, small springs and streams to bluff-top views of the Lake of the Ozarks. Water enthusiasts can make use of the park’s two swimming beaches, boat rentals and paved boat ramps. Park stores sell all of the necessary supplies for a day on the water. Year-round overnight accommodations include campsites, Outpost Cabins and yurts.

Lake of the Ozarks State Park’s natural beauty and solitude remain untouched, yet visitors are just minutes away from extensive shopping, restaurants and a variety of entertainment opportunities.

Nestled in the Salt River Hills of north-central Missouri, Mark Twain State Park gives visitors access to sprawling Mark Twain Lake, as well as unparalleled outdoors activities. The terrain is covered by bluffs overlooking the lake and stands of oak, hickory and maple that are filled with white-tailed deer, turkey and other wildlife. Numerous picnic areas, two four-lane boat ramps and more than 6 miles of hiking trails with lake views offer something for everyone.

The Meramec River flows by majestic bluffs, wooded areas and a dramatic cave entrance. More than 13 miles of hiking trails are available for exploring the park and visitors can swim, fish, raft and boat in the river. A modern campground, cabins and motel give visitors a choice to stay the night or even longer. Exhibits in the visitor center interpret the natural and cultural features of the park. No visit to the park would be complete without a tour of Fisher Cave with hand-held lights.

Montauk State Park preserves a shady green retreat that offers visitors plenty of opportunities for fun, whether it is fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking or just relaxing with friends and family.

The park is located at the headwaters of the famed Current River. The park’s springs combine with tiny Pigeon Creek to supply more than 40 million gallons of water to the river each day. The cool spring water is perfect for rainbow trout and this makes the park popular with anglers.

Picnic areas and two picnic shelters provide the perfect place for a quiet lunch or a family reunion. Three trails provide hikers and bicyclists with an easy way to explore the park. Tours of the gristmill, built in 1896, give visitors a taste of the past and help them learn about the history of the Ozark region. 

For visitors wanting to spend the night, the park offers a variety of choices, including a modern campground, rental cabins and motel rooms. The modern dining lodge will satisfy any appetite.

The primary mission of the Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site is the preservation and interpretation of the house and historic landscape as well as the interpretation of the personages of Nathan and Olive Boone and the Boone family in Missouri. 

Wander through a slice of pre-settlement landscape at Pershing State Park. The park includes a boardwalk and hiking trail that winds through a wet prairie near a meandering stream with oxbow sloughs and cutoffs, and into a bottomland forest. The park’s wetlands attract a variety of birds and waterfowl as well as scores of other wildlife species. Locust Creek and four small lakes give anglers a chance to try their skills and a shady campground with electric and basic campsites makes the park an ideal overnight location.

With locations on both the Hermitage and Pittsburg sides of Pomme de Terre Lake, Pomme de Terre State Park offers a little bit of everything. A marina and boat ramps make it easy to get in the water and fish for bass, walleye, catfish, crappie, or muskie. Two public swimming beaches make for great places to cool off or laze the day away. Two hiking trails satisfy an appetite for adventure. Approximately 240 campsites make the park ideal for multi-day getaways.

Tallgrass prairies once covered more than a third of Missouri; today, less than one percent remains, much of it preserved at Prairie State Park. Visitors to the park see panoramic vistas of swaying grass and ever-changing wildflowers. They also may spot the park’s resident bison herd. The park’s Regal Tallgrass Prairie Nature Center offers exhibits and interpretive programs designed to inform visitors about the special place.

Roaring River State Park is unique on so many levels!

With a deep, narrow valley surrounded by a striking and rugged landscape, Roaring River State Park is one of Missouri’s most popular state parks.

Located in the southwest Ozark hills, Roaring River State Park is one of three Missouri state parks stocked with rainbow trout. Eager anglers flock to the park year round to try and catch their lunker trout.

The scenic setting makes everything more fun. Roaring River begins at Roaring River Spring, the deepest explored spring in North America! The park also has seven hiking trails, picnic tables for a leisurely lunch, and a nature center to learn about the park.

For those wanting to spend the night, the park has many options. The campground has basic, electric, and sewer/electric/water site. Rustic cabins are scattered throughout the park, or guests may choose a modern room at the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center. The center also boasts a full-service restaurant.

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The Meramec River and Calvey Creek border Robertsville State Park, creating unlimited outdoor opportunities. A boat launch and easy water access make fishing and boating along the peaceful Meramec easy. The park's landscape includes scenic bluffs along the river, and a patchwork of hardwood trees, rich river bottomlands, and clearings that date to when the park was a working farm in the mid 1800s. Waterfowl enthusiasts love Robertsville for the diversity of birds that use the park’s waters, and families love Robertsville’s quiet campground and picnic areas.

Just minutes from Columbia, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park gives visitors the chance to scramble, hike and bicycle through a scenic environment – and lets them peek into Missouri’s underworld. The park contains some of the most popular hiking trails in the state and also offers solitude while hiking in the Gans Creek Wild Area. Visitors can also see a large cave system with its rock bridge, sinkholes, a spring and underground stream at the Devil's Icebox. You can explore Connor's Cave in the light of the opening for a taste of the underground world. 

The forested ridges and cool hollows of St. Francois State Park offer visitors a retreat from everyday life. Three hiking trails, including one that allows equestrian access, wind through the wooded hills and glades of the Coonville Creek Wild Area. Easy access to the Big River makes St. Francois State Park ideal for canoeing and floating and the many shaded picnic sites and two covered shelters make the park perfect for family gatherings. Overnight guests can choose from more than 100 campsites, in campgrounds with modern restrooms, hot showers and laundry facilities.

The clear waters of Stockton Lake beckon visitors to water ski, scuba dive, swim or fish. And Stockton State Park is the perfect place to do it. It’s a perfect place for sailing – with a perpetual southwest breeze and a nationally recognized sailing school housed at the marina. Two boat launches make it easy to get in the water, as does a swimming beach. Want to stay on land? The park is great for photographing wildlife, picnicking with the family, hiking or just reveling in the beauty of southern Missouri. The park also offers a range of lodging from campsites to cabins.

Nestled near one of the hottest tourist towns in the United States, Table Rock State Park serves as Branson’s natural getaway and an outdoor recreation base camp for those wanting to take in the area’s abundant attractions.

The park is also handy if you are seeking outdoor adventures. If water recreation is what you desire, State Park Marina rents everything from ski boats to paddle boards and offers all the supplies you will need for a day on the water, whether it is a relaxing day of fishing or an exciting day of skiing. For land-based activities, take a hike or go for a bicycle ride on a paved trail or a challenging mountain biking trail.

The park is also a popular resting spot for those wanting to take in the area attractions. Located among oak and hickory trees, basic, electric and sewer/electric/water campsites wind along the shoreline of the lake. Visitors can also stay in the premium yurt.

Just coming for the day? Numerous picnic sites are scattered near the lakeshore. An open picnic shelter, perfect for family reunions and get-togethers, can be reserved by contacting the park office. Although there is not a designated beach, you can swim in several areas of the park.

The cool waters of Forest Lake provide the centerpiece for Thousand Hills State Park, whose shores and broad savannas recall a time when northern Missouri was far less developed. The lake offers fishing, swimming and boating. the park offers hiking, mountain biking and abundant opportunities to see wildlife. An interpretive shelter helps visitors understand the petroglyphs left behind by the area's inhabitants more than 1,500 years ago. The park also offers campsites and cabins for overnight stays. 

NEW IN 2024: the park now offers a beach wheelchair that visitors with mobility issues can use during normal beach hours. 

Gain a better understanding of one of the saddest chapters in American history at Trail of Tears State Park, where nine of the 13 Cherokee Indian groups being relocated to Oklahoma crossed the Mississippi River during harsh winter conditions in 1838 and 1839. The park’s visitor center tells the tale of the thousands who died on the forced march, as well as the park’s many natural features. The park also has a cheerier side: shaded picnic sites, hiking and horse trails, opportunities to fish in both the Mississippi River and Lake Boutin, and majestic views of the Mississippi River and beyond. Its location right on the river makes the park one of the best places in Missouri for viewing migratory waterfowl.

Campgrounds, some picnic areas and Shelter 1 have reopened as of Aug. 1. All other areas of the park, along with the boat and kayak rentals, remain closed at this time. Click here to read the full advisory.

The clear water of Wakonda State Park's six lakes attract thousands of migratory waterfowl each year, making the park a bird lover’s paradise. The lakes also offer anglers a chance to catch largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. Two of the lakes have boat ramps, making it even easier to get into the water. A swimming beach provides a great place to cool off, and campsites make the park a perfect place to stay for awhile.

Less than an hour from Kansas City, Wallace State Park is an island of serenity. Visitors can fish in the park’s six-acre lake or hike one of four scenic trails with benches along the way for relaxing. Picnic sites that are shaded by trees are scattered throughout and the family-oriented campground includes modern restrooms and hot showers.

Petroglyphs, quaint hiking shelters and incredible Ozark overlooks define the Washington State Park experience. Easy access to the Big River makes the park great for swimming or fishing. Hikers can choose from three rugged hiking trails. Buildings constructed by African-American Civilian Conservation Corps stonemasons complement the park and add to its sense of history.

Not far from the hustle and bustle of Kansas City, Weston Bend State Park offers secluded picnic sites, a campground and sweeping views of the Missouri River from trails and a scenic overlook accessible to persons with disabilities. A 3-mile Paved Bicycle Trail takes hikers and bikers through the park's woody terrain.